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Nov. 5, 1941 — June 30, 2012
Born Kathleen Marie Bithell on Nov. 5, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Katie was the youngest of five children born to Claude and Kathryn Bithell. She graduated from Sacramento State College (CSUS) in 1972, with a degree in Child Psychology. Howeyer, she followed her heart and her love for music and set out singing and playing guitar in tourist towns across America. From Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts to Virginia Beach and St. Augustine, Fla., she lived a carefree and adventurous life performing her solo act.
Returning to the west coast and “God’s Country” (as she called Lotus, Calif.) in the early 80s, Katie teamed up with her long time friend, Jeani Hamilton, to become the duet called “The Womenfolk.” The pair started singing at the Lotus Café, then charmed audiences in the Gold Country, the greater Sacramento region and throughout Northern California for the next 10 years.
In 2005, when Katie was teaching music and life skills in a private school for troubled girls, she wrote a book in her spare time. As the author of “Memoirs of April: What a Blind Dog Helped Me See,” Katie was among only 38 California authors chosen to show her book at the 20ll California State Fair.
Katie lost her four year “war on cancer” on June 30, 2012. Jeani and Rob Hamilton will provide the music at a memorial service to celebrate Katie’s life. The date, location and time of the service will be announced to loved ones by private invitation.
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